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  • Presenting the 2019 Advocacy Mid-Year Report

    A Message from Cathy G. Cohen, Vice President for Governmental Affairs

    Ophthalmologists advocate as a profession because it matters. It matters to your patients; it matters to those whom ophthalmology practices employ. It matters to the towns and counties in which you provide best-in-quality eye care.

    Cathy G. Cohen, the Academy’s vice president for governmental affairs
    Cathy G. Cohen, the Academy’s vice president for governmental affairs, right, with Rep. Andy Harris, D-Md., center, and Michael X. Repka, MD, Academy Medical Director for Federal Affairs. Cohen leads the Academy’s Washington, D.C., lobbying efforts for federal, state and regulatory issues that affect ophthalmologists.

    In January, the Academy set an aggressive advocacy agenda for 2019. Today, we’re proud to update you on our progress and share with you the next steps in our efforts.

    This is the 2019 Advocacy Mid-Year Report:

    • Access to Part B, prescription and compounded drugs
    • Ophthalmology code values and Medicare reimbursement
    • Delays in care: Step therapy and prior authorization
    • Succeeding in MIPS
    • Federal scope of practice
    • Contact Lens Rule changes
    • Surprise billing
    • Plus: Updates on OPHTHPAC®, Congress’ August recess, State scope battles

    We also urge you to plan for Congress’ August recess, a potentially advantageous time for ophthalmologists to engage with lawmakers who are returning to their home districts for the month. Finally, your financial support for state and federal initiatives is more important than ever, so we ask you to consider making donations to the Academy’s OPHTHPAC fund and the Surgical Scope Fund.

    The work done on legislative issues is an extension of your pledge as ophthalmologists to protect sight and empower lives. Thank you for joining us and for your ongoing support, and we look forward to sharing the results of these efforts in December.

    Sincerely,
    Cathy G. Cohen